With declining budgets and travel limitations, it is challenging for data managers to keep up-to-date on the latest metadata standards and tools. In response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) is offering Introduction to Geospatial ISO Metadata, a free, online training series beginning in January 2013.

NCDDC set out to meet the increased needs of data managers as many organizations transition from FGDC to ISO standards. Working with other metadata trainers within the community, the NCDDC Metadata Team has developed a complete package of training materials for the transition to ISO metadata standards. Conducting this training online is an innovative way to meet the increased demand for this training while controlling travel expenses. NCDDC conducted two prior metadata training series online in which over 1500 participants from 18 countries on five continents took part. The success of these efforts has led to the continuation and expansion of the training with two series of Introduction to Geospatial ISO Metadata and two series of Transitioning from FGDC to ISO Metadata already planned for 2013.

Registration is now open for the next series which will be held every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m-10:30 a.m. CST from January 15 until March 5, 2013. The series will start with an introduction to metadata, and cover topics such as XML basics, tools, and data discovery. All materials will be made available online, and instructors will be available by request for special one-on-one “My Metadata” sessions to answer specific questions for individual participants.